Exiled Awami League Members Accused of Running “OnlyFans-Inspired” Fundraising Channels on Telegram
PoriPurno News Desk | August 02, 2025
A controversial wave of online activity has drawn criticism after exiled leaders and supporters of Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League, were alleged to be running monetized Telegram channels resembling the adult subscription platform “OnlyFans.”
The allegations, initially raised by journalist Rafsan Galib, suggest that a number of influential party figures—including former ministers, members of parliament, and district-level leaders—have taken to Telegram as a refuge following their exile from Bangladesh. In these encrypted chat groups, they reportedly hold paid group calls and “exclusive” discussions, monetizing access in a way that critics compare to adult content platforms like OnlyFans.
According to reports, some of these Telegram channels have 20,000 to 30,000 members, with “VIP access” fees being charged to those who wish to speak or interact during group discussions. Galib claims that even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has appeared in some of these virtual sessions, though this remains unverified.
A recent exposé by News18, one of India’s largest multi-language news networks, has further intensified the controversy. Their exclusive report revealed that the practice is not isolated but widespread among exiled Awami League affiliates operating from abroad. “This is essentially a political pay-to-play,” said one anonymous source, “You pay to speak, you pay to be heard, and sometimes, you even pay just to listen.”
One name that repeatedly surfaced in user testimonials is Obaidul Quader, the party’s former general secretary. He is alleged to be running several such “Telegram shops,” collecting significant sums through user subscriptions and paid interactions. Critics from within the party claim that this activity represents a clear moral decline and an exploitation of party loyalists and sympathizers.
A Digital Parody of Politics?
The term “Awami OnlyFans” has begun circulating widely on social media in Bangladesh, used sarcastically to highlight what many see as a vulgar commercialization of political discourse. Critics argue that these Telegram sessions are less about political engagement and more about cashing in on nostalgia and proximity to power.
“This is the final fall of a once-powerful political machinery,” said a Dhaka University political analyst. “They’re mimicking adult entertainment platforms to stay financially afloat and politically relevant. It’s grotesque.”
Some disillusioned party members expressed deep frustration at what they perceive as a betrayal of the Awami League’s legacy. “These virtual clubs are not about ideology or democracy. They’re just ego-driven echo chambers funded by naive or desperate supporters,” a former Upazila-level leader shared anonymously.
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Legal and Ethical Gray Zone
So far, there is no official comment from the Awami League, nor any action from regulatory authorities in Bangladesh. But legal experts have started questioning whether these paid online activities violate the Political Party Registration Rules, cyber finance laws, or even taxation regulations, particularly if money is being routed through informal or cryptocurrency channels.
Additionally, critics argue that the situation exposes Telegram’s lack of regulation over monetized group interactions, allowing political actors to bypass traditional media scrutiny and financial transparency.
A Warning for Digital Democracy?
This incident may signal a new trend in political fundraising and digital propaganda. With encryption tools and remote engagement, exiled or embattled politicians may find ways to recreate political microcosms online—ones where money, access, and influence become more transactional than ever.
“This is not just about one party or one app,” warns a media watchdog in Dhaka. “This is about how political movements are mutating in the digital age—sometimes into forms that look disturbingly like entertainment or exploitation.”
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